The Foods That Support Cell Regeneration And Help Your Body Heal

How can I heal faster? After an injury, surgery, persistent inflammation or even an outbreak of acne, cell regeneration starts, and the body goes into repair mode. It’s a complex, energy-intensive process that places intense demands on our cells.

Stem cells are foundational for the human body. As newborns and young children, we have stem cells aplenty for development, growth and quick recovery from infections and injuries. However, as we age, the quantities of circulating stem cells in the body begin to decrease year on year, making healing and recovery more difficult and prolonged.

The good news is that what you put on your plate – especially in the evening, the key moment for cell regeneration – can make all the difference. Protein, the right carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and targeted micronutrients all lead to happier, healthier cells. Below is a naturopath-approved overview of the foods to choose to help skin, tissue and the rest of your body heal faster.

Protein + carbohydrates + fatty acids = the essential trio for cell regeneration

“The healing process requires more protein-energy intake, essential for tissue reconstruction and collagen synthesis,” says naturopath Lydie Palmieri. Simple: more protein builds more new cells. Consider eating more oily fish (sardines and mackerel in particular), eggs, legumes and quality meats in small portions.

“For effective collagen synthesis, don’t forget carbohydrates either,” adds Palmieri. That could mean potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice and parsnips. Essential fatty acids contribute to tackling inflammation, immunity and healing, and can be found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines, bluefin tuna), high-quality virgin oils (flax, rapeseed), and seeds.

If you want to go even further, you can also target micronutrients and trace elements, such as vitamin A (eggs, carrots, broccoli), zinc (shellfish, red meat, rye bread, cheese and yoghurt) and selenium (brazil nuts, seafood, wholegrain cereals).

Going heavy on these options at dinner time works particularly well, because nighttime is when your cells begin to regenerate. “And of course,” adds Palmieri, “remember to hydrate sufficiently, to help oxygenate scar tissue.”

A naturopath’s recipes for improving cell health

Watercress salad with potatoes and sardines

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Ingredients (serves 2):

• 2 tinned sardines in oil
• 1/2 bunch watercress
• 6 medium-sized potatoes
• 1/4 red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons cold-pressed organic linseed oil
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• lemon juice
• flat-leaf parsley
• handful of pomegranate seeds